Amusement device



Jan. 7, 1941*. R. D. DwYER AMUSEMNT DEVICE Filed Feb. 8, 1940 Il MPatented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to amusement devices and has special reference toa device for discharging a projectile.

One important object of the invention is to 5 provide a device of thischaracter which can be made of very cheap'and readily shaped material.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a'novel andlight projectile for such a device which is of a construction not liableto inflict injury by contact with a person.

A third important object `of the invention is-to provide a novel deviceof this character which may be used as an advertisingnovelty, as a favorat parties for children, and others, and for a l5 Wide variety of otheruses.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novelprojectile for the device, the character of these projectiles being suchthat they canbe nested, one within the other.

A iifth object of the present invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described formed homogeneously throughout of an inexpensivematerial, capable of performing the'function hereinbefore set forth,-said material prefer- 25r ably being inherently capable of maintainingits shape and returning to itsshape `after -being deformed.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be presently apparent,the invention consists `-in general of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly claimed.

n In the accompanying drawing, like characters 35'of reference indicatelike parts in the several views, and:

Fig. 1 is aside elevation showing one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken diametrically through ,mlthe projectile shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 3Y is ya section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view from the right of Fig. 1 with the projectile removed;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal diametric section show- .gfing a secondmodified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing agroup of nested projectiles for use with this invention;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view showing a modified 50 form of nested caps.

In the present embodiments of the invention, there is provided a main orprojecting device, and an auxiliary device or projectile.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 there is pro- 55 vided a tubular mainmember indicated in general at I0 which has a forward or mouth end IIcircular in cross-section and a flattened and laterally spread rear orclosed end I2. While this body may be made of any tough and'yield` ingmaterial, for purposes of economy of material and ease of manufacture,it is preferred `to make this `body of paper material, such aspasteboard or the like. When thus made,'a pasteboard tube of properlength is taken and one end is pinched or flattened to bring theopposite sides into 10 straight line contact. Preferably the materialused is a relatively sti fibre material. This material is ordinarilycapable of retaining its shape and returning to the shape originallygiven the same after being deformed. Although this mate- 15 rial ispreferred, it is to be understood that other materials, such as moldedresilient yet stiff rubber materials, impregnated fabrics vmay be used.However, it is essential that the material not only be of such a degreeof resiliency and tough- 20 ness that it`will retain its shape andreturn to its shape after deformity, but also that it be capable ofbeing formed into a seat for the cap or projectile to be hereinafterdescribed. Such a structure is very much cheaper to manufacture 225 thanmaterials which need to be provided with additional nozzles or seats.

When the sides are thus brought into contact, they are fastened in anair tight manner by ordinary staplel type paper clips I3 as shown in 30Figs. 1 and 3 and these clips may be covered with a paper cover sheet I4which is glued or pasted over the closed endof the body. Otherequivalent fastening means may be used. Instead of simply bringing theends together, as shown, it

may be further noted that the closed end of the body I0 may be turnedover on itself before being stapled. In this type of construction, theclosed end will tend to be more air tight. Further,

it is desired to point out that the container, or body as described, isprovided with a attened end and tends to retain its shape better than anordinary form of container which is provided with a simple closed end.Obviously, when a material such as a relatively stiif fibre is attenedand stapled together vto form a double thickness, the resultingendstructure forms a brace or stiffener for the entire body.

In the form shown` in Fig. 5, the portions which are brought intocontact are pressed fiat as at I5 and joined by adhesive I6. In thisform, a cover sheet I1 is also preferably used.

In the form of the projectile shown in Figs.

1 and 2, there is provided a flat disk I8 of circular form and. having aperipheral rim or secured.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the projectile consists ofan annular band 22 of proper internal diameter to t snugly on thecircular mouth portion Il and this band carries a hollow conical point23. Since these projectiles are hollow throughout, they can benested asshown in Fig. 6. Thus a net of these projectiles can have the end onefitted on the" body with the others fitted successively thereon and eachother so as to be conveniently carried by the users.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 a cap 24 is provided which is shapedto fit snugly on the mouth portion of a body I and on the cap 24 isnested a series of other caps 25.

In using either of the forms and any one of the projectiles usedtherewith one of the projectiles is fitted on theopen end of the body.The device is then laid in the palm of one hand with the capped endpointing away from the user. The other hand is closed and is broughtsmartly down on the body l0. This distorts the body so that the airtherein is compressed and forces the capping projectile rapidly awayfrom the body, making a loud report.

When the nested caps are used, each cap may carry advertising matter andthe entire nest of caps may be placed on the mouth portion of a body lD. Then, when the body is struck as above described, the entire nest ofcaps will be projected into the air and will separate and scatter.

` Thus, if the device be used in a crowd of per--v within the provinceof the invention -to provide a cap having the form of a hollowhemisphere. This type of cap will travel farther than-the flat cap andWill do away with any danger which might result when the pointed orconical cap illustrated in Figs. and 6 is used.

Although as illustrated, the body of the device is provided with acircular mouth and general cylindrical shape, it is to be understoodthat the mouth of the device may take other configurations. Thus, arectangular or square mouthed body or main member may be provided, and acorresponding cap which closely fits the periphery thereof used. In theevent that a main body of rectangular cross section is used, the portionapproaching the closed end thereof may be, folded inwardly or outwardlyin bellows fashion and the closed end turned back on itself and stapledor otherwise fastened. In other words, the cross sectional shape of thebody and the shape of the open end thereof, may be that of anygeometrical figure, either regular or otherwise, as for example,elliptical, hexagonaland trapezoidal. Of the above, it is obvious thatan ellipse would serve the same general purpose as the circular openmouth disclosed in the iigures of the drawing.

It is to be noted that the device disclosed herein in addition toproviding in an inexpensive form a practical amusement device, may alsobe utilized as a container for candies, nuts or the like. Obviously,after the contents of the container are used, the device may thenfulfill its function as an amusement device.

I claim:

l. An amusement device consisting of a tubular body member having anopen mouth end constituted by a substantially uniformly sizedcontinuation of the tubular body, said body having its other endilattened and closed, and a projectile including a cap= having a rimportion conforming closely to the outer periphery of the open mouth endof the tubular body member and adapted to fit frictionally on said mouthend.

2. An amusement device consisting of a tubular body member formed of arelatively stiff yet resilient material inherently capable ofmaintaining its shape and returning substantially to its original shapeafter having been deformed, said body member having an open mouth endand having its other end attened and closed, and a projectile includinga cap having a rim portion conformingclosely to the outer periphery ofthe open mouth end of the tubular body member and adapted to tfrictionally on said mouth end so that a blow on said body membertending to flatten the same will forcibly drive said projectile off theopen mouth end of said body.

3. An amusement device consisting of a tubular body member having anopen mouth end and having its other end closed and a projectileincluding a cap having a rim portion adapted to flt frictionally on saidmouth, and a disk carrying said rim and closing the mouth, said rimhaving a hollow conical point provided with a base portion surroundingand fixed on said rim.

4. An amusement device consisting of a tube of paper material having oneend open and the other end flattened and compressed to bring one portionof the tube Wall into contact with the opposite portion ofthe tube wall,means to securesaid Wall portions in tube-end closingV position, and aprojectile including a disk of paper material having a peripheral flangeadapted to t over the mouth portion of the tube.

5. An amusement device consisting of a tube of paper material having oneend open and the other end flattened and compressed to bring one portionof the tube wall into contact with the opposite portion of the tubewall, means to secure said wall portions in tube end closing position,and a projectile including a disk of-paper material-having aperipheralfiange adapted to iit over the mouth portion of the tube, saidprojectile lhaving a hollow conical paper point provided Awith a .baseportion fitting on and secured to theexterior of the flange.

RALPH DANIEL DWYER.

